U.S. patent application number 11/801140 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-20 for fibrous microencapsulated washer for fasteners.
Invention is credited to Raymond G. Batura, Gerald F. Snow.
Application Number | 20070292241 11/801140 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38832288 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070292241 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Snow; Gerald F. ; et
al. |
December 20, 2007 |
Fibrous microencapsulated washer for fasteners
Abstract
A fibrous microencapsulated washer is provided for sealing and
retaining a fastener. The fibrous microencapsulated washer includes
a substrate and a coating of a microencapsulated material on the
substrate. The fibrous microencapsulated washer includes an
aperture extending therethrough to receive a fastener, whereby a
radial installation of the fastener causes the microencapsulated
material to react on the substrate to form a seal and to adhesively
secure the fastener to a workpiece.
Inventors: |
Snow; Gerald F.; (Almont,
MI) ; Batura; Raymond G.; (Metamora, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Bliss McGlynn, P.C.
Suite 600, 2075 West Big Beaver Road
Troy
MI
48084
US
|
Family ID: |
38832288 |
Appl. No.: |
11/801140 |
Filed: |
May 9, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60811458 |
Jun 6, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
411/542 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 43/001 20130101;
F16B 39/225 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
411/542 |
International
Class: |
F16B 43/02 20060101
F16B043/02 |
Claims
1. A fibrous microencapsulated washer for sealing and retaining a
fastener comprising: a substrate; a coating of a microencapsulated
material on said substrate; and an aperture extending through said
substrate to receive a fastener, whereby a radial installation of
the fastener causes the microencapsulated material to react on the
substrate to form a seal and to adhesively secure the fastener to a
workpiece.
2. A fibrous microencapsulated washer as set forth in claim 1
wherein said substrate is a mesh.
3. A fibrous microencapsulated washer as set forth in claim 1
wherein said substrate has a plurality of radially extending first
fibers spaced from each other and a plurality of radially extending
second fibers spaced from each other and orientated relative to
said first fibers to form spaces therebetween.
4. A fibrous microencapsulated washer as set forth in claim 3
wherein said coating is disposed over both sides of said substrate
and fills the spaces therebetween.
5. A fibrous microencapsulated washer as set forth in claim 3
wherein said first fibers may be secured to or integral with said
second fibers.
6. A fibrous microencapsulated washer as set forth in claim 1
wherein said substrate is made of a suitable material such as
plastic, fiberglass, cloth, cork, or any other media deemed
suitable for manufacturing.
7. A fibrous microencapsulated washer as set forth in claim 1
wherein coating is a topical coating on said substrate.
8. A fibrous microencapsulated washer as set forth in claim 1
wherein said coating is impregnated in said substrate.
9. A fibrous microencapsulated washer as set forth in claim 1
wherein said microencapsulated material is one of an adhesive,
expandable sealant, or a conventional PTFE sealant.
10. A fibrous microencapsulated washer as set forth in claim 1
wherein said microencapsulated material is a resin and curing
agent.
11. A fibrous microencapsulated washer as set forth in claim 1
wherein said coating is an adhesive material made of a composition
of 70-80 wt. % of aromatic dimethacrylate ester, 20-25 wt. %
polyethylene wax, 1-3 wt. % dibenzoyl peroxide, and less than 5 wt.
% of a polyvinyl alcohol.
12. A fibrous microencapsulated washer as set forth in claim 1
wherein said coating is an adhesive material made of a composition
of 20-25 wt. % of cycloaliphatic amine, 5-7 wt. % synthetic polymer
resin, 5-10 wt. % silica, 50-55 wt. % epoxy resin, and 15-20 wt. %
of a urea-formaldehyde-melamine polymer.
13. A fibrous microencapsulated washer as set forth in claim 1
wherein said coating is an expandable sealant material made of a
composition of 20-25 wt. % of cycloaliphatic amine, 5-7 wt. %
synthetic polymer resin, 50-55 wt. % epoxy resin, 10-15 wt. % of
urea-formaldehyde-melamine polymer, and 1-5 wt. % of an
encapsulated blowing agent.
14. A fibrous microencapsulated washer as set forth in claim 1
wherein said aperture is centrally located and generally circular
in shape.
15. A fibrous microencapsulated washer as set forth in claim 1
wherein said fibrous microencapsulated washer has a suitable shape
as being tapered, conical, inserted for molded shapes, cylindrical
sleeve, or the like.
16. A method of making a fibrous microencapsulated washer for
sealing and retaining a fastener, said method comprising the steps
of: providing a substrate; coating the substrate with a
microencapsulated material; and forming at least one washer from
the coated substrate having an aperture extending through the
fibrous microencapsulated washer.
17. A method as set forth in claim 16 wherein said step of
providing a substrate comprises providing the substrate as a
generally rectangular mesh strip having first fibers and second
fibers forming spaces therebetween.
18. A method as set forth in claim 16 including the step of
providing the coating as a liquid in a vessel.
19. A method as set forth in claim 18 including the step of
submersing the substrate in the coating for a time period.
20. A method as set forth in claim 19 including the step of
removing the coated substrate from the vessel and allowing the
coated substrate to dry until the coating is dry on the
substrate.
21. A method as set forth in claim 16 wherein said step of forming
comprising forming the at least one washer by cutting the
substrate.
22. A fastener assembly comprising: a fastener having a head with a
flange and a shank extending from the head; a fibrous
microencapsulated washer disposed adjacent to said flange of said
head of said such that said shank extends through an aperture in
said fibrous microencapsulated washer.
23. A fastener assembly as set forth in claim 22 wherein said
fibrous microencapsulated washer comprises a substrate, a coating
of a microencapsulated material on said substrate, and an aperture
extending through said substrate to receive said shank of said
fastener.
24. A fastener assembly as set forth in claim 23 wherein said
substrate is a mesh.
25. A fastener assembly as set forth in claim 23 wherein coating is
a topical coating on said substrate.
26. A fastener assembly as set forth in claim 23 wherein said
coating is impregnated in said substrate.
27. A fastener assembly as set forth in claim 23 wherein said
microencapsulated material is one of an adhesive, expandable
sealant, or a conventional PTFE sealant.
28. A fastener assembly as set forth in claim 23 wherein said
microencapsulated material is a resin and curing agent.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] The present invention claims the priority date of copending
U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/811,458, filed Jun.
6, 2006.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to fasteners and,
more particularly, to a fibrous microencapsulated washer for
sealing and retaining fasteners.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Fasteners are frequently used to join materials such as
sheets or panels. Such constructions are commonly used in a wide
variety of industries. In one such example, in the automotive
industry, a panel is provided with an aperture or bore therein
having a diameter slightly greater than that of a bolt or similar
fastener. The bolt is passed through the bore and may be assembled
to a mating fastener such as a nut or the like in order to join the
panel to another structural element.
[0006] In many such assemblies, fluid may be present that may leak
through the bore and past the fastener when tightened. As a result,
it is desirable to seal the fastener around the bore. Also, in many
such assemblies, after the fastener has been tightened or secured,
the fastener may become loosened due to certain conditions and may
exit the bore. As a result, it is desirable to retain the fastener
in place after tightening, whereby it cannot accidentally become
loosened or be dislodged as a result of forces acting thereon.
Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide a device for
sealing and retaining a fastener.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is, therefore, one object of the present invention to
provide a fibrous microencapsulated washer for sealing and
retaining a fastener on a workpiece.
[0008] To achieve at least one of the foregoing objects, the
present invention is a fibrous microencapsulated washer for sealing
and retaining a fastener. The fibrous microencapsulated washer
includes a substrate and a coating of a microencapsulated material
on the substrate. The fibrous microencapsulated washer includes an
aperture extending therethrough to receive a fastener, whereby a
radial installation of the fastener causes the microencapsulated
material to react on the substrate to form a seal and to adhesively
secure the fastener to a workpiece.
[0009] One advantage of the present invention is that a fibrous
microencapsulated washer is provided for sealing and retaining a
fastener. Another advantage of the present invention is that the
fibrous microencapsulated washer will not react to form a seal and
retention device for the fastener until a radial installation is
placed on the washer by the fastener or a mating substrate. Yet
another advantage of the present invention is that the fibrous
microencapsulated washer reduces vibration between the fastener and
the workpiece.
[0010] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present
invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better
understood, after reading the subsequent description when
considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is an exploded fragmentary elevational view of a
fibrous microencapsulated washer, according to the present
invention, illustrated in operational relationship with a fastener
and workpiece.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the fibrous microencapsulated
washer of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG.
2.
[0014] FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a first step in a method,
according to the present invention, of making the fibrous
microencapsulated washer of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view of a second step in
the method of making the fibrous microencapsulated washer of FIG.
1.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a third step in the method of
making the fibrous microencapsulated washer of FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a fourth step in the method of
making the fibrous microencapsulated washer of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary elevational view of the fibrous
microencapsulated washer of FIG. 1 illustrated in an assembled
state with the fastener and workpiece of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0019] Referring now to the drawings and in particular FIG. 1, one
embodiment of a fibrous microencapsulated washer 10, according to
the present invention, is shown for a fastener, generally indicated
at 12. Although the fastener 12 of the present invention is
illustrated as a bolt, it should be appreciated that it can be
utilized with a wide range of other fasteners, including screws and
the like to seal and retain such fasteners in position, for example
within an aperture or bore 13a, on a workpiece 13.
[0020] As illustrated, the fastener 12 has a head 14 extending
radially. The head 14 may have a generally circular flange 15
extending radially outwardly from a bottom of the head 14. The
fastener 12 also has a shaft or shank 16 extending axially from the
head 14. The shank 16 is generally cylindrical in shape and has a
generally circular cross-sectional shape. The shank 16 may have a
threaded portion 18 to engage the workpiece 13. The fastener 12 is
made of a rigid material such as metal or plastic. It should be
appreciated that the fastener 12 is conventional and known in the
art.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the fibrous microencapsulated
washer 10 includes a substrate, generally indicated at 20, for
example a mesh. The substrate 20 has a plurality of radially
extending first fibers 22 spaced from each other and a plurality of
radially extending second fibers 24 spaced from each other and
orientated relative to the first fibers 22 to form spaces 26
therebetween. The first fibers 22 may be secured to or integral
with the second fibers 24. The substrate 20 may be made of a
suitable material such as plastic, fiberglass, cloth, cork, or any
other media deemed suitable for manufacturing.
[0022] The fibrous microencapsulated washer 10 also includes a
coating 28 disposed over the substrate 20. The coating 28 is a
microencapsulated material. In one embodiment, the coating 28
impregnates the substrate 20. In another embodiment, the coating 28
is a topical coating on the substrate 20. The microencapsulated
material may be an adhesive, expandable sealant, or a conventional
PTFE sealant. In the embodiment of an adhesive, the
microencapsulated material is a resin and curing agent. In such
formulations, the encapsulated resin and curing agent do not react
until the capsules are broken and the resin and curing agent are
able to contact one another. One example of such a
microencapsulated adhesive material is a composition of 70-80 wt. %
of aromatic dimethacrylate ester, 20-25 wt. % polyethylene wax, 1-3
wt. % dibenzoyl peroxide, and less than 5 wt. % of a polyvinyl
alcohol. Another example of such a microencapsulated adhesive
material is a composition of 20-25 wt. % of cycloaliphatic amine,
5-7 wt. % synthetic polymer resin, 5-10 wt. % silica, 50-55 wt. %
epoxy resin, and 15-20 wt. % of a urea-formaldehyde-melamine
polymer. An example of such a microencapsulated adhesive expandable
sealant material is a composition of 20-25 wt. % of cycloaliphatic
amine, 5-7 wt. % synthetic polymer resin, 50-55 wt. % epoxy resin,
10-15 wt. % of urea-formaldehyde-melamine polymer, and 1-5 wt. % of
an encapsulated blowing agent. It should be appreciated that the
binder could be made of a more flexible material such as polyamine,
polymethacrylate, or polyurethane. It should also be appreciated
that the coating 28 is disposed over both sides of the substrate 20
and fills the spaces 26 therebetween.
[0023] The fibrous microencapsulated washer 10 also includes an
aperture 30 extending through the substrate 20 and coating 28. The
aperture 30 is centrally located and generally circular in shape.
The fibrous microencapsulated washer 10 may have any suitable shape
such as tapered, conical, inserted for molded shapes, cylindrical
sleeve, or the like. It should be appreciated that the shank 16 of
the fastener 12 extends through the aperture 30 in the washer
10.
[0024] To make the fibrous microencapsulated washer 10, one method,
according to the present invention, is illustrated in FIGS. 4
through 7. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the method includes the
step of providing the substrate 20 and the coating 28. As
illustrated in FIG. 4, the substrate 20 is provided as a generally
rectangular mesh strip having the first fibers 22 and the second
fibers 24 forming the spaces 26. The coating 28 is provided as a
liquid in a vessel 32. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the method
includes the step of submersing the substrate 20 in the coating 28
for a time period. The method also includes the step of removing a
coated substrate 34 from the vessel 32 and allowing the coated
substrate 34 to dry until the coating 28 is dry on the substrate
20. The method includes the step of forming the washers 10, for
example by cutting, from the coated substrate 32 having the
aperture 30 extending through the fibrous microencapsulated washers
10. It should be appreciated that the washers 10 may have any
suitable shape.
[0025] To assemble, the fibrous microencapsulated washer 10 is
placed over the shank 16 of the fastener 12 such that the shank 16
extends through the aperture 30 in the fibrous microencapsulated
washer 10 as illustrated in FIG. 8. The fibrous washer 10 is moved
along the shank 16 and disposed adjacent to the flange 15 of the
head 14 of the fastener 12.
[0026] In operation, the fastener 12 is tightened toward the
workpiece 13. As the fastener 12 is rotated, the radial and axial
load on the head 14 is transferred by the head 14 to the flange 15
to place a radial installation force against fibrous washer 10,
causing the capsules of the coating 28 to rupture. In the
embodiment of an adhesive, the resin and curing agent contact one
another. The contacting of the resin and curing agent forms an
adhesive, for example an epoxy, on the substrate 20 to seal and
retain the head 14 of the fastener 12 to the workpiece 13. It
should be appreciated that a predetermined torque, for example
fifteen torque-pounds, are required to loosen the fastener 12 from
the workpiece 13. It should be appreciated that the predetermined
torque is based on the size of the fastener 12.
[0027] The present invention has been described in an illustrative
manner. It is to be understood that the terminology, which has been
used, is intended to be in the nature of words of description
rather than of limitation.
[0028] Many modifications and variations of the present invention
are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the
scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be
practiced other than as specifically described.
* * * * *